A 'virtual garage' of antique Chevy & GMC trucks from around the World
| Around the 'Bolt... |
|
Search Discussion
Forums Gallery More than 3,140 old truck stories with photos from Stovebolters worldwide! More in our DITY Gallery. Tech
Tips Events The
Swap Meet FAQs Features Stovebolt Hoo-ya Stovebolt
Office Home |
No parts of this site, its contents, photos or graphics may be used without permission. |
1958 GMC 450 Coleman 4 x 4 Conversion
 |
Owned by Bill Masterson |
2/2F100Panel@aol.com
12 September 2007
# 2051
From Bill :
Here are photos of my 1958 GMC 450 Coleman 4 x 4 Conversion that hit the property August 25 this year. Here we are bringing her home. It has a 302 Inline 6, with a 5 speed / 2 speed transfer case. This truck was ordered and built for the Sykorsky Helicopter Company. They used it to plow their airport until around 1980. After that, it logged some and then went into storage.
The tin on this truck needs LOTS of attention. I don't know much about it. I'm new to heavy trucks and GMC. Here's a view from the passenger side, while she's still loaded on the trailer.
Some interesting things the former knowledgeable owner pointed out that can be seen in the pictures -- first, about the plow. The plow seemed to pin into the front bumper in those square holes. This picture shows a close-up where a plow hook up of some nature pin hooked into the frame and bumper. Something I don't ever recall seeing back then. Then it appears some kind of push bracing that ran through those brackets with holes / circles under the front axle -- ? There are anchor plates on the frame further back. This picture shows round brackets under the front axle that appear to hold plow brackets (here's another one). Again, something I'd never seen before. I don't know how they could pin into the stationary front bumper and have brackets going through the moving axle. Maybe some out there has seen this before?
There are two power take off's. One is for the dump; one likely for a long gone sander. There are fittings for the sander that can be seen on the right rear of the dump body. Here' a good "Coleman" shot.
Also of note on the rear end, the addition of torque braces. Also of note in the photo's Coleman "Z"ed the frame. That's how they got the cab / front clearance for the front axle without raising / blocking the rear.
The PO says during this time period, Coleman was having trouble with the raising blocks kicking out and that's why they did a frame modification. This shows where Coleman cut the frame and raised the front section to clear the new front drive axle and then welded a "Z" section to reunite the frame halves. Also in the picture is the rear anchor point for the brackets that ran through the front axle rings. It makes for an interesting looking truck ...?
Soon, I'll begin looking to get her to start. We think the pin on the distributor is bad. The PO never tried to start it. Like many, he had the local building inspector after him for too many vehicles. That's how I got it. I'm in the same boat. I'll have to register it as a historical vehicle soon or the town will be after me.
-30-